What my musings are all about...

Blogging might well be the 21st century's form of journaling. As a writing teacher, I have always advised my students to keep a daily journal as a way of organizing their thoughts for future writing projects, a discipline I have unfortunately never consistently practiced myself. By blogging, I might finally be able to follow my own good advice.

The difference between journaling and blogging is that the blogger opens his or her writing to the public, something journal- writers are usually reluctant to do. I am not so reticent.

The trick for me will be to avoid cluttering the internet with more blather, something none of us need more of. If I stick to subjects I know: sports and literature, I believe I can avoid that pitfall. I can't promise that I'll not stray from time to time to comment on ancillary subjects, but I will make every attempt to be interesting and perhaps even insightful.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

NBA Playoffs

Is anyone concerned about how many no call blocks and strips there are during a game? Are players that talented these days that they can slap the ball cleanly out of an opponent's hands without whacking the wrist? (I understand hand is part of the ball, but the wrist isn't, nor the forearm.) Ah, well, it is the playoffs. Still, these no calls bother me the most when a player struggles mightily to grab an offensive rebound (not an easy thing to do) then goes up and an opponent slaps the ball (quesionable) the wrist (very likely) and forearm (also likely) while body slamming him to the floor. Offensive rebounders unite! You're losing points on the line. Do you know that one offensive rebound could be valued at six points, even as high as 8? If you ask me, I'll tell you.

What I love about the San Antonio Spurs is their dedication to teamwork on both ends of the court. I don't know if the Spurs will win the championship, but there chances the way they're playing looks good. Miami should win the East, and OKC and the Spurs should play off for the West.

My pick for NBA Champs is the San Antonio Spurs.

Isn't it great St. Mary's College fans that Patty Mills has found a home in San Antonio? The Galloping Gael Aussie has loads of talent and being mentored by Tony Parker will be a plus.

Was anybody puzzled during the NFL draft, that many of the college players were sporting huge diamond studded wrist watches. Unless those were zircons, were talking big money. Amateurs? Not really. The NCAA better figure out a better definition for college athletes.

Nothing to do with sports, but was anybody troubled by Charlie Sheen's ex getting $55,000 per month to raise her children? What does it cost the rich - that includes professional athletes - to raise their children?

Really scary message printed in the inside of football helmets; we're talking about the manufacturers of helmets warning us not to play the game because it's too dangerous.

Why is this college basketball draft being described as a good year? I can't see a franchise player (ie: a starter who makes a difference) in the whole bunch.

Will Tyreke Evans ever learn to shoot a consistent jump shot?

Will Steph Curry ever have an injury free year?

How about this trade? Jeremy Lin for Steve Nash. (Nash lives off season in the Big Apple) Suns get youth, the Knicks get a shot at a championship.

How is it that Shaq can have an EdD and still use double negatives when he speaks?

How to Play Night Baseball by Jnathan Holden

A pasture is best, freshly
mown so that by the time a grounder's
plowed through all that chewed, spit-out
grass to reach you, the ball
will be bruised with green kisses. Start
in the evening.Come
with a bad sunburn and smelling of chlorine,
water still crackling in your ears.
Play until the ball is khaki -
the girls' bare arms in the bleachers are pale,
and heat lightning jumps in the west. Play
until you can only see pop-ups,
and routine grounders get lost in
the sweet grass for extra bases.

Thomas Meschery, a son of Russian immigrants, he became the first international player to play in an NBA All-Star Game in 1963.

An All-American success story. Born in China in 1938, he came to the U.S. with his parents after WW II. An All-American at Lowell High School, San Francisco, and St. Mary's College, Moraga, California. He was the youngest player to named a first team AAU All-American. NBA Star for ten seasons. Noted as one of the toughest players in the NBA. His jersey number has been retired by both St. Mary's and Golden State Warriors. Inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2003.

Tom has published two books of poetry, 'Over the Rim' and 'Nothing You Lose Can Be Replaced' and a fourth-coming book of verse, 'Some Men'. He was inducted into the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame in 2000.